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ConnectKentucky
Telecom Industry Deregulation Leads to Broadband Availability for Kentucky’s Rural Communities
No longer does living in a rural area mean limited opportunities. High-speed Internet access is giving rural Kentuckians improved access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities. As a non-profit, independent organization dedicated to technology-based economic development, ConnectKentucky worked during the 2006 legislative session to promote a package of broadband bills that were passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Ernie Fletcher. These bills will help Kentucky reach its goal of 100 percent broadband coverage by 2007, creating more jobs and a better quality of life for all Kentuckians.
House Bill 337 - The Emerging Technology and Consumer Choice Act of 2006, deregulated most retail telephone services, with the exception of basic phone line services. The bill allows telephone providers to compete on an even playing field with unregulated phone, cable and Internet providers. The end result is that telecom companies, freed from the burden of regulation, now have an environment that is more conducive to investment in rural broadband deployment.
Today, Kentucky’s local telephone companies announced that in 2006, high-speed broadband service will be expanded to more than 530 new locations across the state reaching more than 63,000 previously unserved Kentucky households.
Broadband availability and usage is directly linked to a state's capacity to improve healthcare, expand education opportunities as well as to expand the potential for economic development and job growth. This linkage is the basis for Governor Ernie Fletcher’s Prescription for Innovation, which encourages investment in the state's telecommunications infrastructure.
Kentucky has led the nation in broadband growth over the past two years, with unprecedented growth of availability and adoption across all sectors of the economy. Progressive public telecom policy like HB 337 can continue to move Kentucky forward when it encourages fair and open competition, as well as innovation and investment for the benefit of consumers.
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About ConnectKentucky:
ConnectKentucky is leading the way into a new economy for Kentuckians. By leveraging the latest in technology and networking, ConnectKentucky is ensuring Kentucky remains the place of choice to work, live and raise a family.
ConnectKentucky has established the Commonwealth as a national model for growing a technology-based economy, as illustrated by the following metrics.
For more information, visit www.connectkentucky.org.
ConnectKentucky Metrics (previous 24 months)
$500,000,000+ Private capital invested in KY telecommunications (unprecedented)
20,000,000 + Positive media impressions related to KY’s Prescription for Innovation
300,000 Approximate number of new households that have received broadband access since start of Governor Fletcher’s plan (on track to have 100% coverage by end of 2007)
5,640 Number of new high tech jobs created (on track to exceed estimated 15,000 new tech jobs by 2007)
1,000 Number of home computers being delivered to underprivileged households during the pilot phase of “No Child Left Offline”
100 Number of Kentucky counties actively engaged in the eCommunity Leadership Team process (assessing needs, building interest, planning)
45% Growth rate of broadband usage in KY over last two years
33% Growth rate of broadband availability in KY over last two years
21% Growth rate of home computer ownership in KY over last two years
# 1 Kentucky’s national ranking for expanding broadband
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